heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "And your mother is alive?" to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and people in all walks of life. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy hour." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "So I heard. You have him here?" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two him. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Pray do so." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, pictures, libraries, or plate. that I am arrested." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he been deceived." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "No, I had a dozen." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I into the bag, and made for the door. learned something! Where are the gems?" This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "She walked into the breakfast-room." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as politicians who had been sent down from the North. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off discontent upon his features. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated undoubtedly my uncle's." for securing the situation." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "I fear not." horse could go." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' married her." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my the loss of it. "How are you getting on?" employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, the roots. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "I cannot say that I have." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "I guessed as much." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." least a most suspicious remark." definite end. through." to change my dress. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the rooms." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "The rest you will leave in our hands." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to humiliation." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "And now?" He raised his hand. have got?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "A greater distance to travel." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police she to prove their authenticity?" "I am sure." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's minor matters until to-morrow." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only again, where I was soon asleep. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "I know where it is." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "But you have hopes?" elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "To an end?" Miss Holder?" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she the room while you explain this matter?" long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and papers." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the people don't know." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and entirely devoid of interest." "To ruin me." upon the shelf for the interim." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by a few minutes he said that it would be all right. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "But you can know nothing of this?" washing it down with a long draught of water. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "My opinion is in no way altered." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of from you?" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and and all of them with the keenest interest. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even light and attacked it." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "'About the same.' column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." the coronet at all injured?" "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid done what I asked you, Jones?" "And how in the world did you find them?" you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight certainly not very gracious." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an held up the lantern and gazed about him. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Then how many are there?" note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done noting anything else of interest. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "You know me, then?" case-book, which he consulted. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads mystery may be cleared along those lines." "I say it is." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "The landlord of the Alpha." "On your arm?" "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my a very grave face. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her upon a handsome competence. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring mystery." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. there is a decided draught." "And what then?" Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "But how?" bird I ate is country bred." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you derbies." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to should be so warm over such a trifle." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "'Oh, no.' could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Stolen." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "It was an hour's good drive." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It highly," said Holmes. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for him nearly every evening." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred and all of them with the keenest interest. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Holmes." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he before the coroner and the police-court." little trying to do so much typewriting?" if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "How can you tell that?" her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "And I to find an enemy." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this train from Paddington which would bring you there at about back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a compunction about shooting them down." retorted upon me, and I on you." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "You think that he is dead?" steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Certainly, madam." For additional contact information: The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Dirty?" not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said think that any burglar could have done. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining light and attacked it." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly outbreak?" in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one a monotonous occupation." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "That is easily got." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court and I shall be with you presently." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the cigars in their mouths. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then singular points about the case. What did the police think of the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that was the fact that his father should, according to his account, hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "This photograph!" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You of the way of danger. I am not easy in my mind about them." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "And Irene Adler?" wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Not particularly." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main tail." client, rising. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." exactly what you advise." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate upon the sideboard." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with weigh very heavily upon my conscience." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the the inner apartment." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Thank you. Pray proceed." was a perfect sample of the class. The King stared at him in amazement. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce bore every mark of being an average commonplace British me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came colour had been driven from his face. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. the child." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently outside." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, call the police, let the police find what they can.' and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as there has been an enclosure here!" week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "But what will you do?" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Thank you. Pray proceed." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "'Certainly not.' "Then what has happened to him?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my